guinea pig (gĭn`ē), domesticated form of the cavy cavy (kā`vē), name for 14 species of South American rodents of the family Caviidae, including the domestic guinea pig .
..... Click the link for more information. , Cavia porcellus, a South American rodent rodent, member of the mammalian order Rodentia, characterized by front teeth adapted for gnawing and cheek teeth adapted for chewing. The Rodentia is by far the largest mammalian order; nearly half of all mammal species are rodents.
..... Click the link for more information. . It is unrelated to the pig; the name may refer to its shrill squeal. Guinea pigs were raised by the Incas and have long been used as food in South America. They were first imported into Europe from Guiana in the 16th cent. There are a number of varieties, some with short, smooth hair and others with longer hair, and a great range of color combinations, including mixtures of black and white and many shades of brown. They have rounded bodies, large heads, and blunt noses and reach a length of 6 to 10 in. (15–25 cm) and a weight of 1 to 2 lb (450–900 grams). Females produce three to five litters, usually of three or four young, per year. The guinea pig's rapid reproductive rate and high resistance to disease make it a valuable laboratory animal; it is used for testing serums and antitoxins and for experiments in genetics and nutrition. It is also sometimes kept as a pet. It is classified in the phylum Chordata Chordata (kôrdā`tə,–dä`–)
..... Click the link for more information. , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Rodentia, family Caviidae.

guinea pig

Domesticated species (Cavia porcellus) of South American cavy (family Caviidae). It resembles most other cavies in being stout, short-legged, and about 10 in. (25 cm) long. It has small ears, no external tail, and a coat that is black, tan, cream-coloured, brown, white, or a combination of these colours. Hair length and texture vary among varieties. It feeds largely on grass and other green plants. Domesticated in pre-Incan times, it was introduced into Europe in the early 16th century. It is a popular pet and a valuable research animal.

guinea pig

a domesticated cavy, probably descended from Cavia porcellus, commonly kept as a pet and used in scientific experiments

guinea pig [′gin·ē ‚pig]

(vertebrate zoology)

The common name for several species of wild and domestic hystricomorph rodents in the genusCavia, family Caviidae; individuals are stocky, short-eared, short-legged, and nearly tailless.

guinea pig (redirected from Domestic Guinea Pig)

guinea pig

guinea pig
(redirected from Domestic Guinea Pig)